Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Mistaken Identity

A few weeks ago, I walked up to someone and began to talk to them. That doesn't seem out of the ordinary. What was abnormal is that who I was talking to was someone who looked like someone that I knew, however, it wasn't. The physical characteristics were there but I was talking to someone I'd never met.

Head

Verse 27, is our focal point verse this week. From verse 22-26, we have specifics to provide a context. Verse 27, shows us that some people will believe what they want to whether it’s the actual truth or not. There are times when we find ourselves doing the same thing.
John was trying to help those closest to him realize that he was the “front runner” to Jesus. He clearly knew his role. His role was to let people know that Immanuel had come.
Jesus truly was going to be with them and that He came to fulfill the will of His father.
He also clarified and explained to them his position. (v. 27)

Heart

In the world that we live in, I have to wonder how many people would have truly given credit where credit is due instead of confirming the claims about themselves.

We see a “need to be accepted” mentality everywhere we turn. If we were honest with ourselves and before the Lord,that is a greater priority for us as Christians than really caring what God has to say about our acceptance.
Again, John knew his role but he also knew who he was in Christ…His identity. He was comfortable with that and accepted the fact that he was nothing and Christ was everything.

Hand

The key to applying this truth of knowing who we are in Christ and knowing our role in the kingdom of God is simply shared with us in v. 30 and 31. He must increase but I must decrease. V. 30
What does this look like? How does this play out in our own lives?
More emphasis should be put on pleasing our Savior than pleasing ourselves.
Priorities should be placed upon the Word of God and Communion with God over our daily routine.
When we allow Him to arise and increase in our lives, we will truly be able to experience what God has promised to His children.

He is above all

As the creator of everything that we lay our eyes upon, we have to realize that it had to be created and only one claim to creation stands the test of time which is…In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Look at v. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Will we receive the testimony of the Son of God that He is everything that He claimed to be and so much more OR we be found in v. 36…he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him?

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About Me

I am a 35 year old follower of Jesus who has been blessed with a wonderful wife of 14 years, 2 children and the opportunity to be the under shepherd to a wonderful church family at Grace Baptist Church in Madison, NC